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Sam Neill on tackling depression and imposter syndrome when you’re between jobs.

“Separate yourself from your profession. That’s what I do, that’s not what I am” – he was talking about acting, but it’s absolutely the same in any freelance job. This idea of being on 24/7 is exceedingly unhealthy.

A better approach summed up neatly in @austinkleon.bsky.social‘s Keep Going.

I think this is why imposter syndrome goes hand in hand with freelancing. Every gap between jobs turns into an existential crisis.

… only exacerbated when clients don’t pay on time (kind of a tangent, but to hell with it). If your job involves hiring freelancers, PAY THEM. Every single day that invoice is overdue is another little chip at their financial AND mental well-being.

Pay your full-time staff erratically and just see how quickly their mental health starts crumbling.

Sorry, turned into a bit of a rant, but I think about that Neill video a lot.

In summary: pay freelancers on time and reward yourself by watching Jurassic Park.

Also watch The Dish which is beautifully underrated

dammit missed this photo